Bode George withdraws from PDP chairmanship race, accuses Wike of abusing the Yoruba

One of the nine contenders for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship seat Chief Bode George has withdrawn from the race.PDP Chairmanship Aspirant, Chief Olabode George taking a sip during a Press Conference by the Bode George Campaign Organisation on why he pulled out of the race at the Campaign Office, Maitama, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

Bode George, who is a member of PDP Board of Trustees, made this announcement during a conference in Abuja on Friday he said the South West is already cheated with the entrants of aspirants from the South-South.

He stands with the micro-zoning principal of the party, which has been jettisoned

George also said that, Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State abused the Yoruba people on a national Television when he said the South West has never contributed anything meaningful to the success of the PDP.

He said Governor Wike must tender an unreserved apology to the Yoruba people for his unguarded utterances against the Yoruba race. I listened to my younger brother and I see it as an insult. I consider it as an insult.

Read full speech below

“I entered the contest on the micro-zoning principle, which has been thrashed by little men who have compromised. It appears the PDP is bent on self-destruction. I can’t be part of this. The chairmanship position has been sold to the highest bidder,” George stated while a briefing newsmen at his campaign office in Abuja.

“I entered the race due to the micro zoning arrangement. This micro zoning has been trashed, dumped on the dust bin for personal reason. It appears that PDP is bent on self destruction. It has lost its soul.

“I cannot be part of this criminal allegation. The PDP is now mangled.

“I hereby withdraw from the fraud. As a Yoruba patriot, I will stand for our people.

“Governor Wike must tender an unreserved apology to the Yoruba people for his unguarded utterances against the Yoruba race. I listened to my younger brother and I see it as an insult. I consider it as an insult.

“I Olabode George did not step down for anybody. My measure of experience is too heavy. What I am stepping down for is the process. The issue of micro zoning has been destroyed. Every position is micro zoned. I am withdrawing purely on principle. You can know the way the party use to bubble and we see it as a brotherly union.

“From what happened before I thought we could manage it but it is obvious that they system has been bastardized,”